"Know yourself. Know the world of work. Find the right fit." That's the career search in a nutshell, said Darlene Martin, assistant director of career services, Continuing Education at Kennesaw State University.
There are many self-assessment tools and books to help you know what careers suit your passions, abilities and skills, but how do you learn about the world of work?
 LEITA COWART/Special |
| Pearl Alexander, senior director of employee relations services at Georgia Tech, said that informational interviews can open doors to additional opportunities in new fields. |
 LINDA SCHAEFER/Special |
| 'It takes a lot of energy and courage to get out of your chair and go meet strangers, but that kind of initiative is appreciated in the job market. Managers realize that someone who is willing to conduct informational interviews is highly motivated, and that can open doors.' CAROL HACKER President, Hacker & Associates |
 LEITA COWART/Special |
| Alan Lee, director of executive search for Talent Connections, said that informational interviews are an important networking tool. When someone finds a new job or career through informational interviewing, it's important for him or her to accommodate others who want to gather information down the line, Lee said. |
You ask.
Informational interviewing — talking with someone who works in the field to find out how to enter the field and what it is like — is one of the best job-search tools, Martin said.
Tova Cohen isn't sure whether she first learned about informational interviewing from "What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard Bolles (who is considered by most to be the originator of the term) or through a professor at Georgia State University, where she earned her master's degree in applied linguistics.
"It made sense," Cohen said. "I earned my degree so that I could use my background and talents in the field of intercultural communication, but I needed to learn what that looked like in practical terms. I had to understand what the need was in Atlanta for those skills."
Cohen began scheduling interviews with people who worked across different cultures.
Using informational interview questions found in Nicholas Lore's book, "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success," as a guide, she compiled a list of questions and scheduled interviews with diplomats, hotel managers who deal with international clientele, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, various businesses and lawyers who work cross-
culturally. How did they prepare to work in a different culture, she asked, and what would have been helpful to have known ahead of time?
Her information-gathering led her to attend a Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research conference, where she met people from all over the world who worked in the field.
She plans to start her own consulting firm to offer customized cross-cultural services in Atlanta.
"Informational interviewing was extremely valuable, especially for a field as vague as mine," she said.
"It's a great networking tool," said Carol A. Hacker, president of Atlanta-based Hacker & Associates, a management consulting and seminar company. "Any time a job-seeker can get in front of someone, it's an opportunity to make an impression that could lead to other contacts or a job offer."
It can give you entry into the hidden job market — those positions that companies advertise only in-house or fill through recruiters.
When Hacker moved to Raleigh 23 years ago, she didn't have any contacts but knew the kind of human resources job she wanted.
"I started with the Chamber of Commerce, did 53 informational interviews and had eight job offers in five months," she said. "Informational interviewing works!
"It takes a lot of energy and courage to get out of your chair and go meet strangers, but that kind of initiative is appreciated in the job market. Managers realize that someone who is willing to conduct informational interviews is highly motivated, and that can open doors."
Whom to call?
So how do you find the right people to interview?
"Start with the top 50 people you know — neighbors, family members, business associates and friends," Hacker said. "These are primary contacts you know well enough to ask for help with your job search and who will refer you to people they know working in your field or for a company that you have targeted."
Ask your primary contacts for leads, and call each of those people to request a 20- to 30-minute informational interview. Be sure to mention your mutual friend by name.
"Know why you are calling, the questions you want to ask and what you need from this person; otherwise, you are wasting his time," Hacker said. "Even though you will never ask directly for a job, dress as you would for a job interview. Be confident and enthusiastic, and come prepared with hard copies of your résumé."
An inside look
"Informational interviews are a great way to gather information on careers, explore a different field, find out about working in a different capacity within your field or learn about industry trends," said Pearl Alexander, senior director of employee relations services at Georgia Tech.
"It's the best way to get a real sense of what the day-to-day work is like for that job, what kind of interactions a person has, how many hours they put in and what skills are needed to be successful," Alexander said. "Even finding out a field or job isn't for you is useful. You won't waste your time in a degree program or a future job that makes you miserable."
The preparation process for an informational interview is different from that for a job interview, because you'll be the one in charge and will lead the conversation, she said.
"You'll be asking lots of 'how' and 'why' questions. What led someone into the field? How did she prepare for the job? What does he do each day? What does she like best, and what are the challenges?" Alexander said. "Ask about his professional organizations, and you may be invited to attend a meeting, which will open even more doors."
An informational interview should be a two-way conversation, said Alan Lee, director of executive search for Talent Connections, an Atlanta-based executive search firm.
"You need to know where you've been, where you are going and where you want to go. Be as transparent as you can be so that the person can help you find a company that meets your purposes and where you can really thrive," he said.
Lee's forte is helping people find work that aligns with their skills and passions.
"When someone tells me they need to make a change, I encourage them to think outside the box, to explore their passions," Lee said. "I ask them what they would do if money were no object."
Returning the favor
Once people have identified their passions and know what they want to pursue, Lee can help them connect with the right contacts from his network.
Most people are gracious about granting informational interviews. Lee, whose background is in human resources and banking, said that he never turned down an informational interview with anyone who had researched his company and had a compelling reason for wanting to work there.
"Keep in mind that, with informational interviewing, you are building your network. You never know what seeds you may be planting for your career, long term," Lee said.
He advises people to be sensitive of the interviewee's schedule. "Arrive on time, be thoroughly engaged during the interview, but end the meeting within the time agreed upon," he said.
Leave negative attitudes at the door, he said.
"If you have dissatisfactions with your last role or employer, flush out those emotions with a friend before scheduling an interview," he said. "You want to be perceived as a victor, not a victim — someone who is ready to move on to the next step with a positive attitude."
After talking with someone about his or her job and career, Hacker recommends asking for direct help.
"You may ask for ideas on how you can improve your résumé or if the person knows of job leads for your qualifications. Always ask for additional contacts," Hacker said.
Ask permission to stay in touch and call someone if you have follow-up questions, Alexander said.
"People like to see initiative, and your interview request could lead to a mentoring opportunity, if the person likes you and decides to invest in your career," she said.
"Be grateful that someone has taken the time to help you, and always follow up an interview with a thank-you letter," Lee said.
"When you do land a job, let that person know about it, so that he can be part of your successful journey."
Once the informational interview process pays off for you, a cardinal rule is to give back in return, Lee said.
"Make networking a part of your life, and, when you do hit a career challenge, you won't have to go it alone," Lee said. "You'll have people there to coach you through it."